BOWIE, Md. — A Bowie Police officer is being hailed a hero after saving a teenage boy and his dog from drowning.
On Thursday, May 16, Bowie Police received a call about a dog in the deep end of a pond at Centennial Park.
Sgt. Matthew Titman told WUSA9 he was at the police department, just feet away from the park, when he heard the call and ran over.
Titman said by the time he reached the park, the dog’s owner, a teenage boy, had already rushed into the water to save his dog.
“He made it to the fountain. Grabbed onto the dog and all of a sudden, he panicked and started yelling out for help,” Titman said.
Titman told WUSA9 he took off his gear and jumped in to help the boy and his dog.
“I was just trying to calm him down. Pulled him towards me, grabbed them under my armpits, and started swimming in,” Titman explained.
Bowie Police say the teen is okay and the dog was just chasing geese when it ended up in the pond. Titman told WUSA9 this story is a good reminder to always practice water safety.
“I wasn’t really thinking. I just knew I needed to do something. I was a lifeguard for eight years, worked for the city of Greenbelt as a lifeguard. I knew I needed to do something, and I could do something.” Titman said.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.